10 Premiership most improved players including Celtic, Rangers & others

It’s getting close to that time of year where the end of season awards are handed out and people will be thinking about their picks for player of the year.

One we don’t see a gong handed out for in the Premiership is ‘most improved player’. It’s the one we all wanted to avoid when playing youth football as it was seen as almost the opposite of a compliment, a pat on the back for trying.

But once you get to professional level that’s surely not the case. It’s already an achievement just being there and if you improve year or year then you’re doing something very right. A lot of the guys on the list that follow were already doing well for their clubs, it’s just that this year they’ve really kicked on to such an extent than they stand out for it.

Without further ado, here is our list of nine most improved players in the Premiership from last season to this.

1

Out on loan at Aberdeen last season, it didn’t look like he had a future at Celtic. But with a defensive shortage he was given a chance and took it with both hands. The Irishman has been a regular at the heart of defence ever since and while there may have been a drop off in performance since the start of the season, still an option Brendan Rodgers can rely on.

2

Rangers finally seem to have the left-back they thought they were signing in 2022. The Turk only played in 15 games last season as he struggled to adapt to Scottish football, with Borna Barisic keeping him out the team. But Yilmaz is now very much the first pick and one of Gers’ better players of recent weeks and months.

3

After signing from Livingston, the winger started his Hearts career well but the season faded out for him as he became more of a bench option. Has sparked under Steven Naismith during this campaign. Could score more goals but five assists is not bad and his all round play has been impressive.

4

The centre-back was on loan at Kilmarnock last season and did well, enough to persuade them to make it permanent. But he’s been even better this campaign and an important part of one of the best defences in the leagues. Even tipped for Scotland honours recently.

5

Another who was by no means bad prior to this season, but seems to have taken his game to a new level. Always a threat, even in the tougher games and after a tally of two goals and three assists in 22/23, has already topped that with four and six so far.

6

Rocky Bushiri has been maligned at times during his time at Hibs but there has also been a feeling that there is a good defender in there. Is showing more of that these days and seems to have cut out the mistakes. Made a difference to the backline when returning from the African Cup of Nations, which was telling.

7

Wow. Quite possibly the biggest transformation of the lot. Branded a no-hoper by St Johnstone fans, eyebrows were raised when Motherwell then took him to the club, but he has shone. His season was epitomised by a recent display at Ibrox when he rag dolled Connor Goldson and John Souttar on the way to victory. But there have been plenty other performances like that and 11 goals to go with it.

8

Did have an impact during his first season at St Johnstone. But now seems to be doing it on a more regular and consistent basis as a workhorse in the middle of the pitch who can also use the ball well.

9

Remarkable that he wouldn’t be the most improved at Motherwell given the season he is having, but been outshone by Bair. Seven goals from midfield for a team in the bottom half is pretty good going and has turned up in big matches too. Out of contract in the summer, there will surely be interest in his services.

10

Kingsley has already been a very good Hearts player for most of his time there. But not as much last season. Injuries definitely played a part but the left-sided defender didn’t enjoy his best campaign. However, he’s been back to his best and one of the main men in Steven Naismith’s side, whether at left-back or centre half.

Report: Everton looking at signing record-breaking £21.5m midfielder who Celtic really ‘didn’t fancy’

The financial misconduct of Everton over the last years has really scuppered their recent endeavours in the market.

Having seen numerous star names bypassed due to a lack of funds or ability to spend, Farhad Moshiri’s decision to risk their future to succeed in the present looks woeful in hindsight.

And, it has made the jobs of Kevin Thelwell and Sean Dyche so much harder too, with the former having to feed off scraps as he searches for viable transfer targets.

Fortunately, one opportunity now seems to have emerged which could denote a perfect fit for their side.

Everton plan summer transfer for Lewis Ferguson

As noted by GIVEMESPORT, Lewis Ferguson is one target that Thelwell has detailed ahead of the summer transfer window.

And with good reason, given the blistering form the Scotland international is enjoying in the Serie A with Bologna.

The report states: ‘According to GMS sources, Aston Villa have checked out Ferguson, but they aren’t the only side in the Premier League to send scouts to monitor the former Aberdeen man.

‘Newcastle United, Brentford, Fulham, and Everton have also looked at Ferguson. Bologna are flying high in Serie A this season, sitting in fourth place, with Champions League qualification a real possibility.’

Should they push this move through, fighting past the financial barriers which have scuppered so many potential deals in recent years for Everton, it would represent an almighty coup of a star who could shine in the first-team for the foreseeable future.

What would also add to the intrigue of this move is that both Rangers and Celtic actually turned down the option to acquire his services back, with one pundit suggesting they simply ‘didn’t fancy him at all’.

Lewis Ferguson could lead Everton away from relegation battles

To further emphasise his already-established European pedigree, there were rumours that West Ham United were plotting a £21.5m bid back in December 2023.

And whilst that obviously did not come to fruition, it showcases that Ferguson is on the radar of many clubs.

So, Everton would have to act quickly if they were to win the race, which is certain to be a hotly-contested one.

Especially given the form the 24-year-old is enjoying, scoring six and assisting four in the Serie A alone for a side challenging for a Champions League spot against all the odds.

In doing so, he has already broken Denis Law’s record for goals scored in Italy.

However, that alone merely scratches the surface of this talented, hard-working and economical maestro, who is also shining when compared to others in his role.

When viewed against attacking midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues, he actually ranks in the top 7% for passes attempted per 90, the top 1% for pass completion percentage, and the top 8% for clearances per 90, via FBref.

Seemingly boasting the quality and the work ethic to help him thrive within Dyche’s system, this would prove an intelligent transfer to kickstart what will hopefully be a brighter future for the Toffees.